The German Navy has taken delivery of its first NH90 Sea Tiger helicopter, with a total of 31 Sea Tigers planned to replaced the Sea Lynx fleet. The NH90 is equipped with sonar systems and can deploy torpedoes and anti-ship missiles.
The Ministry of Defence has signed five-year Letters of Offer and Acceptance with the U.S. for sustainment support of the Indian Navy’s MH-60R helicopters, covering spares, repairs, training and new in-country maintenance facilities.
Germany has introduced its first Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the largest combat aircraft in Bundeswehr service, which replaces the P-3C Orion fleet and will be stationed at Nordholz air base for surveillance and anti-submarine operations across the strategically vital GIUK gap in the North Atlantic. Germany will operate eight Poseidons by 2028, with crews training alongside NATO partners including the US, UK, Norway and Australia.
A Russian Navy Pacific Fleet detachment including large anti-submarine ships and corvettes conducted air defence and anti-submarine warfare exercises in the Sea of Japan, engaging simulated missile and submarine targets as part of scheduled combat training. According to the Russian Navy, these exercises are part of ongoing fleet training to enhance coordination between surface ships and aviation units in anti-submarine and air defence operations.
Sweden’s Saab has partnered with General Atomics to build a new Airborne Early Warning drone based on Saab’s AEW solutions, integrated on the General Atomics MQ-9B UCAV, intended to operate from naval warships in a manned-unmanned teaming configuration.
The INS Kadmatt is commanded by Commander Mahesh Chandra Moudgil and will be part of the Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command.
Airbus Helicopters has initiated the process to get approval for a joint venture with an Indian partner to manufacture helicopters in India, with a majority stake held by the European company.
The Acceptance Of Necessity (AON) was cleared by the Defense Acquisitions Council (DAC) in February, 2012 and at the time, the order was estimated to be worth around USD 1 billion.
The aircraft took off from the company’s manufacturing plant at Long Beach, California on June 11 and made several stops, including one at Barcelona, before it arrived in India.
India is lining up INS Shankush, a Shishumar class diesel electric submarine, while the British have brought their Trafalgar class nuclear-powered submarine for the week-long Exercise Konkan.
Lockheed Martin has pitched for the MH60 R and said a down select was likely within a month and field trials could conceivably take place by June. See video inside.
